MARGAO
Gladiators edge past White Devils 1-0 to win the Friends Circle 7-a-side football tournament organised by Friends Circle, Curchorem at Figueiredo Ground, Curchorem.
There was no score at half time. In an absorbing final, both the teams displayed attacking brand of football. Both had equal number of scoring chances but their forwards misfired from close range.
The second half continued in same vein with both the teams making desperate attempts in search of an elusive match winner but the defenders stood tall in protecting their citadel intact.
With the match heading for the tiebreaker, Clifford struck the match winner in the dying minutes of the second half.
The Gladiators were richer by Rs 20,000 while White Devils had to settle for Rs 15,000. Clifford of Gladiators and Saroos of White Devils were declared the first goal of the final and man of the final respectively.
Glenn Baptista, managing director of Fr Agnel Polytechnic Verna was the chief guest and gave away the prizes in the presence of veteran Tito D Cunha, Agnelo Pires and Raymond Pereira, former Curchorem footballers.
